| Genus: Rhizosolenia | Diatom Common West Coast species:  R. setigera, R. hebatata, R. styliformis, R.   robusta Order: Biddulphiales Family: Rhizosoleniaceae 
   Click on the illustration to   enlarge   Description: Long, cylindrical, straight or   slightly curved cells with a spine-like process on one end. Cells may be   solitary or in short chains.  Valves are conical or subconical and usually have   otaria and claspers.  Segmented girdle bands are in longitudinal columns roughly   parallel to the pervlavar axis. Cells have numerous small chloroplasts.  Cell Size: Diameter = 13-230um among five   most common species. Distribution: Widespread throughout the   world’s oceans.           IFCB images |